From 1913-17, Emperor William II had Cecilienhof Palace built in the north of the New Garden for his eldest son Crown Prince William and his wife Crown Princess Cecilie. The palace's appearance was attuned to its scenic surroundings through the use of traditional materials like brick and wood. In order to disguise the actual size of the palace, with its 176 rooms, individual building elements were cleverly grouped around several courtyards. The center of the building is formed by the great hall living area that can be reached through a vestibule, which branches off into the official rooms of the royal couple. A massive staircase of carved wood leads from here to the upper floor. The rooms of the manor were divided into private spaces. The area for the head of the household included a smoking salon, a library and a breakfast room. The area for the lady of the house included a music salon, a study, and a small chamber designed in the style of a ship's cabin. The use of the palace for the Potsdam Conference in 1945, among other purposes, has brought about dramatic changes to the furnishings and décor of several of its rooms.